I.

CALL TO ORDER

1.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

Recommendation:  That it BE NOTED that the following pecuniary interests were disclosed:

a)         Councillor M. Brown disclosed a pecuniary interest in clause 3b), having to do with JCI London, by indicating that he is a member of JCI London.

b)         Councillor S.E. White disclosed a pecuniary interest in any matter, having to do with mental health, by indicating that she is employed by CMHA/WOTCH.

II.

CONSENT ITEMS

2.

Director, Financial Planning and Policy - 2014 Budget - Public Input

Recommendation:  That, on the recommendation of the Director, Financial Planning and Policy, the report dated February 10, 2014 regarding the 2014 budget public input and the supplementary report dated February 10, 2014, BE RECEIVED for information.

Motion Passed

YEAS: J.F. Fontana, B. Polhill, B. Armstrong, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, N. Branscombe, M. Brown, P. Hubert, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, J.P. Bryant, S.E. White(13)

III.

SCHEDULED ITEMS

3.

2014 Budget - Public Participation Meeting

a)

Natalie Spoozak, President Board of Directors of the Children's Museum – indicating that the Children’s Museum in the midst of entering a time of transition; noting that the Children’s Museum has been a pillar of the City for 35 years providing educational experience for the children of London and the surrounding community; indicating that the Children’s Museum crosses boundaries between social, community, education and culture; indicated that the Children’s Museum is better and stronger; noting that community leaders, little visitors and their parents present a better story (Secretary’s note:  at this time a video is played); noting that the Children’s Museum is an essential economic contributor to London by bringing in visitors and providing jobs; indicating that the Children’s Museum contributes over a $1 million dollars to the London economy; noting that the Museum attracts families to the community; indicating that the current structure is in need of improvements and in fact inhibits the Museum from creating a new dynamic content to align with today’s children;  indicating that 90% of respondents have indicated that the Children’s Museum is an important part of London; indicating that funding will also be provided by other partners, sponsors and organizations; asking the Committee to reconsider their request for funding; indicating that in recognition of the budgetary challenges that the City has, the Museum has adjusted its funding request to $100,000; noting that the funding provided by the City of London will be used to leverage funding from other levels of government, reiterating that the Children’s Museum has the support of the community and provided the attached communication.

b)

Mike Napier, President and CEO, JCI London and Bianca Lopes, Executive Vice-President, JCI London – providing the attached presentation.

c)

Kate Bowley, 5 Clenray Place and Olivia Roke, 806 Talbot Street –indicating that they are students of King’s University College Social Justice and Peace Program; indicating that they wish to speak to workplace harassment issues; noting that in 2002 only 8% of sexual assaults were reported to the police; reviewing current legislation regarding workplace harassment and employers obligations under the legislation; proposing the creation of an educational program to bring awareness to young students as to their rights and expected treatment in the workplace; noting that they will rely on government resources; indicating that they will provide guest speakers and facilitate discussion to acknowledge and help individuals deal with harassment issues; indicating that the program would be run by volunteers comprised of university students; noting that they will provide the program to grade 10 high school students to assist in educating future generations so that they are comfortable and safe in their future workplace; indicating that workplace harassment leads to absenteeism and unemployment; noting that their program will educate young people and assist in creating a positive and productive future workforce and requesting funding in the amount of $1,500.00 to assist with start up costs, marketing, payment for guest speakers and costs related to rental of venues.  

d)

Amanda Wilson, 926 Collins Drive and Nichelle Howarth, 7 Windermere Place - indicating that the City of London provides inadequate assistance to  newcomers who may have trouble adjusting to a new city and country; noting that the culture needs of newcomers are ignored by all levels of government; indicating that newcomers must rely on third party organization to assist them in becoming engaged in the community; noting that by failing to appropriately engage newcomers, results in a loss of $2.25 billion in economic activity; indicating that the City of London culture office continues to oversee with cross culture immigration centre however, the City does not participate in on-line assistance for the successful integration of newcomers to the community;  noting that the City’s website does not provide a direct link to the immigration portal and provides no option for non-official languages; noting that it is difficult to find access to the portal on the City’s website; indicating that they researched other City’s websites, such as Brampton, who provides a direct link to the immigration portal and offers helpful links to language guides; noting that the City of Toronto’s website also provides a direct link to the immigration portal and a direct link to a translation bar; noting that the City of Windsor’s website offers a translation bar and provides interpreters and indicating that surrounding cities provide easy access to immigration information; requesting that the City modify and reformat the website to be more accessible for newcomers so that they may be better integrated into the community.

e)

Tonya Marie Salomons, 36 Noel Avenue and Nadine Jacqueline Squires, 1104-500 Springbank Drive – indicating that they are students of the Social Justice and Peace Program and King’s University College; noting that they are in attendance to address the need to provide additional support for single parents noting single parents who receive Ontario Works, need to spend more than 50% of their income on housing; noting that housing is a firm foundation that needs to be met; introducing Nadine, who is a single mother who speaks to her experience in trying to find subsidized housing in London; noting the lengthy waiting list to obtain social housing; indicating that housing first strategy is the correct goal and that housing must come first; indicating her support of the City of London and the London Housing Development Corporation in their goal to provide safe, secure and suitable housing that recognizes the individual’s ability to pay; asking the City to direct more efforts to the provision of  affordable housing; noting that the provision of affordable housing is cost effective; noting the need to create a more cost effective process to provide affordable housing; indicating that every dollar spent results in $1.40 in increased GDP; noting that women also need access to education to escape the poverty cycle; noting that mothers have young lives relying on their success; indicating that single mothers must juggle responsibilities and that results in many leaving higher education to care for children; indicating that they are requesting the City support a similar initiative such as the “Project Chance” in Montreal; indicating that this initiative provides residential units in common areas to mothers, based on rent to income, while they obtain education; this initiative also provides community based day care; requesting that the City imagine a different future for all single mothers; requesting the City to consider funding research into implementing a similar strategy in London and noting that London is a great city for this program, with the finest post secondary education; and provided the attached presentation.

f)

 Mick Kunze, 782 Adelaide Street North - Withdrawn

g)

Sue Wilson, Director, Office for Systemic Justice, Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada -  acknowledging that Council has a difficult and complex budget task before them; acknowledging that Council has to make do with limited resources; noting that there are many conflicting issues and values in play; acknowledging that the budget process  is looked upon as political work, but the budget process also encompasses strong ethical dimensions; noting that the decisions made today will help to shape who we are as a community; noting that these decisions impact the relationships that we establish with each other; indicating that huge investments in our community have been made by the faith communities to address poverty and social distribution; indicating that it is important that fundamentals are in place for fairness in the city; indicating that as Council discusses projects in the City, Council needs to remember fundamental principles of providing for those who have the least; requesting that Council retain the $2 million allocated to affordable housing; requesting that Council ensure that funding is in place for homelessness prevention and housing stability; noting that basic human needs such as housing have to be a priority; noting that 70% of Canadians are concerned that Canada is becoming a less fair society and noting that Council has a chance to make sure London is a fair community.

h)

Amir Eftekharpour and Christina, London Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) – indicating that this is the London Youth Advisory Council’s first budget submission; indicating that public engagement is crucial to an inclusive process; noting that engagement broadens communication with the public to reflect the priorities of the residents; indicating that the LYAC has interests in a number of broad  issues; noting that all decisions made by Council, impact youth directly; indicating that LYAC wishes to speak to two main topics regarding the 2014 Budget, economical sustainability and transportation investment;  noting that in the last 10 years, the City has invested in capital projects such as the Covent Market Garden and Budweiser Gardens which were debt financed; indicating that the LYAC wishes the City pay back debt and balance the budget in 2014 by either raising taxes or reducing costs; requesting that Council not place the debt on the next generation; requesting Council to consider how their decisions impact the next generation and the sustainability and prosperity of the City; indicating that it is important for the City to  have a vision for the future that is funded in a fair and reasonable manner; indicating that the LYCA fully endorses the Downtown Master Plan and requests that funding be included in the 2014 Budget to support this initiative; indicating that from a youth perspective the promotion of young entrepreneurs; noting that the London Transit Commission recently implemented Pilot 90 which is the first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route in the City of London; noting that  Pilot 90 has shown success and exceeded expectations; indicating that the LYAC completely supports the BRT and strongly supports discussion of a long term commitment to the BRT; requesting that Council provide funding for the London Transit Commission to undertake the required Environment Assessment in order to provide a clear picture on the BRT from both an economical and environmental perspective and requesting that the City begin   investing in the Transportation Master Plan now and continue an open conversation regarding TMP.

i)

ADDED - David Ennis, 25 Argyle Street – indicating that he is a  citizen of the City and has paid taxes for many years; indicating that he is also the Animal Services Director for Progress Animal Welfare Services (PAWS), who also submitted a bid on the recent Request for Proposal for animal care services; noting that the cost of $2.2 million for current services is a source of concern;  indicating that improved services to meet concerns of the residents will cost $375,776 per year; noting that PAWS offered the same services for less other than $50,000 for reserves for future off-leash dog parks; noting that PAWS supports the recently opened east village hospital;  noting that the bidder that was selected is a for profit organization that will cost the City taxpayers in 10 years, $1.25 million for veterinary services; indicating that he does not believe that Council has had a chance to make an informed decision regarding animal services given the restrictions of the procurement process; noting that $1 million in capital costs will need to be found this year for enhanced services, including a cat adoption centre run by volunteers; indicating that it will cost an additional $375,776 annually to make the new model work, totaling $3.75 million over ten years; noting that if Council proceeds with the new model the additional costs forever to the citizens; noting the time and dollars spent on the RPP process that will end up costing additional money; damned if you do, damned if you don’t; and indicating concern that past Councils have uploaded costs for these services to the present Council and that this Council will upload the costs to future Councils.    

j)

ADDED - Lorne Keith, 706 Huron Street – indicating concerns regarding the link between obesity and fluoridation and the related costs to fluoridate City water and requesting that the City reduce fluoride in City water.

k)

l)

m)

n)

o)

ADDED - Patrick Whelan, President, University Students' Council providing the attached presentation.

ADDED – Hope Clark and Deeq Abdi, African Community Council – indicating that she is an independent consultant retained by the African Community Council (ACC) to speak on their behalf to have a voice; over the past three years the ACC has worked with City staff, and Pillar Non-profit on the London newcomers employment initiative and has met all recommendations of council to staff; noting that they have chaired Town Hall meetings resulting in a voice that clearly indicates that  employment sector in London is not working for newcomers; noting that this initiative is not a duplication of services and is in fact  a very positive move forward for London; noting that research indicates that for every $1.00 spent will result in $26.00 in savings; asking that Council relook and readdress this issue as its votes is contrary to city staff recommendations and Pillar Town Hall meetings; indicating that the ACC Board of Directors requests that Councillor Hubert declare a conflict of interest as he is in charge of one of the largest employment agencies in London; purpose of the initiative is not to deliver service but to provide a link between existing services and the community; noting that there are many agencies and there is a need to find the right agency with the community and indicating that the City paid for the independent consultant to prepare a business plan and hold Town Hall meetings resulting in a report from the community.

ADDED - Dean Sheppard, Reforest London - indicating the importance of tree planting in the budget process and the importance of continuing the investment; noting that for every $350 spent on a tree, the City sees a 460% return; indicating that the planting of trees results in higher property values and that people are active; thanking the City for its efforts in continued tree street planting; indicating that additional steps will be needed next year; thanking the City for the establishment of tree bank seed money; noting that the growing of the City’s urban forest will need to continue and will require investment and noting that the community looks to the City to provide leadership.

ADDED - Vicki Van Linden, 431 Ridgewood Crescent, Animal Alliance of Canada – maintaining the funding already recommended for enhanced animal services; Vicki reads a letter from the Animal Alliance of Canada and indicating that cat adoption centre will provide extra shelter space for cats while waiting to be adopted.

ADDED - Marie Blosh, 43 Mayfair Drive – indicating funding for a City veterinarian and cat shelter are key to reaching a “no kill” policy; asking Council to keep the funding for these initiatives in the Budget and noting that these initiatives will add transparency and accountability to the animal care in London.

Motion Passed

YEAS: J.F. Fontana, B. Polhill, B. Armstrong, J.B. Swan, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, N. Branscombe, M. Brown, P. Hubert, D.G. Henderson, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, J.P. Bryant, S.E. White (15)

IV.

ITEMS FOR DIRECTION

None.

V.

DEFERRED MATTERS/ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

VI.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 6:05 PM.